With the NBA Draft one week away, there’s still a debate whether the Knicks will use the sixth pick or trade down.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, who had ultimate power when he coached Phoenix, actually traded his first-round pick with the Suns in the last four drafts, the latest being Rudy Fernandez last June.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh said at Orlando’s pre-draft camp the sixth pick is up for sale if they can get back a solid player in return because of the parity between four and 14.
There are indications the Knicks would like to come out of next Thursday night with a point guard-of-the-future, whether in the draft or via trade. Stephon Marbury is entering his final year of his contract, and there isn’t another starting point guard on the roster.
Toronto’s T.J. Ford, Milwaukee’s Mo Williams, Indiana’s Jamaal Tinsley, whom Walsh drafted, and Portland’s Jarrett Jack are on the block. Sources have indicated Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo, who picks 17th and is looking to move up, has been most active.
If the Knicks stay at six, or even if they trade down a few notches, they will have their crack at a series of combo guards. Walsh is very open minded when it comes to evaluating combo guards, feeling they all can be converted to point guards.
Though O.J. Mayo probably will not be available at six, UCLA’s Russell Westbrook, Jerryd Bayless and Eric Gordon could be sitting there. Indications are that Westbrook, though he’s not a good shooter, impressed the Knicks. He’s considered a solid defender who can run an offense, and his stock is rising.
D’Antoni may have tipped the Knicks’ hand when he told Bayless during their interview, “I have all the tools, I just need an engine to run it.”
If the Knicks pass on a point guard, 6-foot-10 small forwards, Danilo Gallinari and Anthony Randolph are being considered.
Today, the Knicks resume workouts, with freshman center DeAndre Jordan the best of the crew. The shot-blocking Jordan is likely a consideration if the Knicks fall out of the top 10.
Also to work out are Hofstra guard Antoine Agudio and Massachusetts forward Dante Milligan, a New Yorker and familiar face at the Garden.
Milligan used to visit the Knicks locker room often and attended many games, as his “Big Brother” was Knicks executive Dan Schoenberg. Their relationship received publicity when Milligan’s brother, Alonzo, recently was killed in a drive-by shooting.